Manchester City's Samir Nasri celebrates scoring against Chelsea in the Community Shield. Robbie Slater predicts City will be EPL champions again this season. Source: AP

WITH the new English Premier League season underway, former Socceroo and EPL star Robbie Slater gives his verdict on who will contend and who will descend:

ARSENAL

Last season 3rd

Gunners fans will be hoping that Olivier Giroud, an off-season signing from Montpellier, can cover the loss of Robin van Persie. Unfortunately, Arsenal have become a selling club in recent years, but German international Lukas Podolski is a blue-chip recruit and Giroud was a star in Ligue 1.

Key signing - Olivier Giroud

Prediction - Top four

ASTON VILLA

Last season 16th

Australian eyes will be on the Villans for one very good reason – Brett Holman. How he goes will have major ramifications for the Socceroos, too. Villa disappointed last season after they signed Alex McLeish as manager from rivals Birmingham? Most expect new gaffer Paul Lambert to lead a recovery.

Key signing - Brett Holman

Prediction - mid-table

CHELSEA

Last season 6th

How can Roberto di Matteo be under pressure after winning the FA Cup and Champions League as caretaker manager? Because former Barcelona man Pep Guardiola is casting a massive shadow over Stamford Bridge. Eden Hazard, a midfielder from Lille, will rival van Persie as buy of the year.

Key signing - Eden Hazard

Prediction - Top four

EVERTON

Last season 7th

It’s the end of an era with Tim Cahill moving on to New York, but manager David Moyes always has the Toffees punching above their weight. They will be hard nosed and competitive. Steven Pienaar’s arrival from Tottenham allowed Cahill to go and Marouane Fellaini is a terrific player.

Key signing - Steven Pienaar

Prediction - mid-table

FULHAM

Last season - 9th

Have made the most bizarre addition, with chairman and owner Mohamed Al Fayed erecting a Michael Jackson statue outside Craven Cottage. We don’t think we’ll see Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer moon walking if he saves a penalty. A lot will depend on star striker Clint Dempsey.

Key signing - Watch this space

Prediction - mid-table

LIVERPOOL

Last season - 8th

The key man at Anfield is the club physio. If Steven Gerrard has another injury-hit season, then the Reds will struggle. After sitting on their wallets, much will depend on Gerrard and Luis Suarez – again. This is a step up for new manager Brendan Rodgers, who brings Joe Allen with him from Swansea.

Key signing - Brendan Rodgers

Prediction - Europa Cup

MANCHESTER CITY

Last season - 1st

The soap opera enters its second season. Roberto Mancini managed to handle all the egos last season – and Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and the highly talented misfits are back. Yaya Toure is their key man and the defence can look brittle when Vincent Kompany is missing. They remain the team to beat.

Key signing - still shopping

Prediction - Champions

MANCHESTER UNITED

Last season 2nd

Robin van Persie’s late arrival has led to whispers Javier Hernandez wants out. Still, Shinji Kagawa, the Japanese star rated the best player in the German Bundesliga, is a great signing. With Chelsea, they should be the major threat to City. An ageing team, so the medical staff will have a big role to play.

Key signing - Robin van Persie

Prediction - top four

NEWCASTLE

Last season - 5th

Lack of depth and the rigours of the Europa League could hurt them. An Aussie flavour with the signing of Curtis Good from the Melbourne Heart. Their greatest accomplishment was keeping the band together over the off-season. Papiss Cisse is crucial.

Key signing - Vurnon Anita

Prediction - Europa Cup battle

NORWICH

Last season 12th

Biggest loss has been Paul Lambert’s defection to Villa. The Canaries were a revelation last season, but I can’t see them holding their ground. New boss Chris Hughton will want to prove himself, but the squad hasn’t really been strengthened. They will need to be strong at home.

Key signing - Chris Hughton

Prediction - relegation battle

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Last season 17th

Mark Hughes has been around the block a few times and he remains the greatest asset at QPR. The arrival of Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung and West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green strengthens the squad. Results at home remain the key to ensuring another drama-free season.

Key signing - Park Ji-sungPrediction - Mid-table

READING

Last season - promoted

Ran away with the Championship to earn promotion, but that is like winning a go-kart race and then going up to Formula One. Signing Pavel Pogrebnyak from Fulham will help a team high on talent but low on experience at this level. Will be good to watch because they play an open brand of football.

Key signing - Pavel Pogrebnyak

Prediction - relegation battle

SOUTHAMPTON

Last season - promoted

Might be the best chance of the promoted teams to stay up. A lot will depend on goalkeeper Kelvin Davis earning them points by bailing out a rookie defence. Steven Davis brings steel and experience from Rangers, while Nathaniel Clyne has ability. They could surprise a few people.

Key signing - Steven Davis

Prediction - Relegation battle

STOKE CITY

Last season 14th

It’s route one all the way to survival. Expect long throws from Rory Delap, direct football and plenty of crosses towards beanpole striker Peter Crouch. Had a summer clean-out, but not that much has changed. They should score enough scrappy goals to ensure they remain in the big league for another season.

Key signing - Jamie Ness

Prediction - Mid-table

SUNDERLAND

Last season 13thMartin O’Neill did a fine job last time out and will again be eyeing mid-table security. O’Neill’s presence should ensure more improvement from a squad that remains a striker short of making a real impression. Stephane Sessegnon is quality and bigger clubs might come knocking on the door. O’Neill will hope he stays put.

Key signing - Louis Saha

Prediction - mid-table

SWANSEA

Last season -11th

Michael Laudrup was a fantastic player, but this is a massive challenge as manager. Losing Joe Allen’s passing from midfield is a blow, but they have been sniffing around Manchester City’s Scott Sinclair. Played attractive football last season, but fans will be more pragmatic this time.

Key signing Michael Laudrup

Prediction

Relegation battle

TOTTENHAM

Last season - 4th

Replacing England’s favourite manager in Harry Redknapp is the task facing Andre Villas-Boas. No matter how you cut it, AVB failed at Chelsea. A slow start and Spurs fans will turn on him. Keeping Gareth Bale was a great start, but they will be looking for a quality goal-poacher.

Key signing -Jan Vertonghen

Prediction - Europa Cup battle

WEST BROM

Last season 10th

Goals have always been hard to come by and West Brom were poor at home – so how did they finish 10th? After such a good result last season, you would expect Steve Clarke to have a relatively easy transition after replacing Roy Hodgson as gaffer. Their key man Peter Odemwingie can blow hot and cold.

Key signing - Romelu Lukaku

Prediction - Mid-table

WEST HAM

Last season- Promoted

Style points don’t count in Sam Allardyce’s world and the Hammers have a rich tradition of playing football easy on the eye. It’s a clash of cultures. Allardyce has never presided over a club that has been relegated. Kevin Nolan is a like-minded individual and will be crucial to survival.

Key signing - Jussi Jaaskelainen

Prediction - Relegation battle

WIGAN

Last season -15th

The Houdini boys did it again last campaign, somehow avoiding the trap door. They also retained manager Roberto Martinez despite interest from Liverpool. Victor Moses is a class player and the Latics will be hoping he isn’t nicked by one of the big clubs. Chelsea are said to be keen.

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